Nurse-led Policy to Practice - Integrating Physical and Mental Health Care to Reduce Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) Risk Amongst Mental Health Consumers

This paper will report on the development of a pilot transactional study of a nurse-led metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk reduction program in a rural community which is underpinned by the NSW Health guideline (2009) 'Physical Health Care of Mental Health Consumers'. Mental health clinicians should position their minds for change towards advances in practice development which integrates physical and mental health care service delivery to mental health consumers. Concern is mounting in regard to the physical health of mental health care consumers who take atypical antipsychotics and their subsequent increased risk of developing MetS. Ethical concerns arise from the administering of these medications, without also delivering the lifestyle and nutritional interventions which will address the weight gain associated with medication taking. A mixed methods evaluation research design yielding descriptive statistics and qualitative data will be analyzed and will inform the evaluation of the intervention program. Twenty atypical antipsychotic medication takers will be invited to participate in the program. Regular integrated physical and mental health assessment of participants will take place. The program is designed to enhance the general health and well-being of the participants, and a range of evidence-based nursing interventions will be implemented including nutritional, physical/lifestyle and psychosocial interventions. Physical health monitoring will target the high risk collection of MetS problems. This paper will present the program intervention plan in detail and highlight the importance of adapting mental health services to include strategies that integrate both physical and mental health promotion, well-being and recovery for mental health care consumers.